Ukraine reaffirms commitment to human dignity on Holocaust Remembrance Day

Ukraine has paid tribute to the millions of victims of the Holocaust and reaffirmed its commitment to the principles of human dignity and the fight against antisemitism, according to a statement by the Ukrainian Embassy in Georgia.

Marking January 27, the International Day of Commemoration in Memory of the Victims of the Holocaust, the Embassy said Ukraine joins the international community in honouring the memory of those who perished under the Nazi regime.

The date carries particular significance for Ukraine, the statement noted, as some of the Holocaust’s most horrific crimes were committed on its territory. At Babyn Yar, Drobytsky Yar and in cities and villages across Ukraine, more than 1.5 million Jews were killed by the Nazis. These tragedies, the Embassy said, remain embedded in the country’s collective memory as a stark reminder of the consequences of hatred and intolerance.

Ukraine also expressed pride in the thousands of its citizens who risked their own lives, as well as the lives of their relatives and friends, to save Jews from Nazi genocide during the Second World War. Among them were individuals recognised as Righteous Among the Nations, whose sacrifice and humanity continue to serve as an example for present and future generations.

The statement linked the remembrance of the Holocaust with current events, noting that Russia’s aggression has returned war to Ukrainian soil with a level of brutality not seen since the Second World War. Ukraine voiced gratitude to all individuals, nations and countries supporting efforts to save lives, protect civilians from aggression and terror, and pursue accountability for crimes committed.

“By honouring the memory of the millions of Holocaust victims, Ukraine reaffirms its commitment to the principles of respect for human dignity and its readiness to firmly combat antisemitism, xenophobia and all other forms of discrimination,” the statement said. It added that Ukraine will continue efforts to preserve the historical memory of the Holocaust and to support educational initiatives and international cooperation in this field.

“Holocaust remembrance is not only a tribute to the past, but also our duty to the future. Never again,” the statement reads.